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PHOTOS: Delhi Waveriders win Hockey India League
Delhi Waveriders defeated Jaypee Punjab Warriors via the penalty shoot-out to emerge champions in the second edition of Hero Hockey India League, at the packed Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday.
The triumph was a befitting result for last year's runners-up Waveriders, who had entered their second consecutive final in the league.
The Waveriders won the shoot-out 3-1 after the regulation 70 minutes ended 3-3.
Much credit should go to the Waveriders' goalkeeper Nicolas Jacobi, who had a brilliant day under the bar, bringing off numerous saves. Apart from making quite a few saves in regulation time, Jacobi stood like a rock in the shoot-out to thwart Warriors' first three attempts before Robert Hammond scored from the one-on-one situation.
Waveriders scored three out of their four chances in the shoot-out to run away with the glittering trophy and Rs 2.5 crore prize purse.
The Warriors took home Rs 1.25 crore, while the last year's champions Ranchi Rhinos pocketed Rs 75 lakh for finishing third.
Delhi Waveriders win Hockey India League
Warriors started on a positive note and took the lead as early as the opening minute of the match through Mark Knowles, who scored from a field effort.
But Waveriders pressed hard for the equaliser and maintained pressure on the Warriors' citadel. Their efforts bore fruit as they scored two goals in the span of two minutes to go into the breather with a 2-1 lead.
Lloyd Norris Jones first drew parity in the 33rd minute with a fierce forehand strike after receiving a pass from Akashdeep Singh before skipper Sardar Singh (35th minute) scored from a penalty-corner after latching on to a rebound.
The Punjab outfit scored two field goals in the third quarter to restore their lead. Shivendra Singh (45th minute) first cleverly deflected in Gurmail Singh cross from the right flank before young striker Affan Yousuf (48th) found himself at the right place inside the circle to restore Warriors' lead.
Delhi Waveriders win Hockey India League
But Warriors' joy was short-lived as Yuvraj Walmiki drew parity four minutes later with a fierce shot from inside the circle after receiving a diagonal pass from Andres Mir Bel.
In the final quarter, the Punjab Warriors enjoyed the upper hand with a host of defence-splitting runs into the rival circle but failed to score.
Ranchi Rhinos claim third spot
Defending champions Ranchi Rhinos beat Uttar Pradesh Wizards via the penalty shoot-out to finish third.
The Rhinos won 3-2 after the teams were locked 1-1 in regulation time.
The hosts started the match on a positive note and got the first scoring chance in the first quarter through a penalty-corner but wasted the opportunity.
Ranchi Rhinos claim third spot
The Wizards, on the other hand, capitalised on their first penalty-corner, V R Raghunath scoring in the 15th minute.
But Rhinos equalised five minutes from half-time through Manpreet Singh's fine solo effort.
Manpreet beat three Rhinos defender before slotting the ball into the opposition net with a fierce strike from top of the circle in the 30th minute.
Ranchi Rhinos claim third spot
After the change of ends, both the teams tried their level best to break the deadlock but their efforts fell flat.
The Wizards had a bright chance to seal the match in the 68th minute when they earned their second penalty-corner but failed.
In a one-on-one shoot-out situation, the Rhinos scored three out of five chances while the Wizards could find the back of the net just twice.